26th August

Another hot day in which it was tough birding after about 9.00.  For the first time this autumn Chiffchaffs outnumbered Willow Warblers ( three and eight respectively). This is a pattern repeated annually and we would expect Chiffchaff numbers to build up into September, with daily totals up to 300 birds. Other warblers were scarce with 15 Whitethroats, eight Lesser Whitethroats, and 11 Blackcaps.  There was a Pied Flycatcher at McSwiggans, single Redstarts in the Gun Emplacement and Freedown and two Whinchats ( Freedown and Hope Point). Overhead there was a single Tree Pipit and four Yellow Wagtails

Quite a few Adonis Blues were on the wing at Kingsdown Leas, where there was also a Clouded Yellow.

Brendan, Jack and Julian Russell

Adonis Blue- Kingsdown Leas

Kestrel- Freedown